Farmers arriving at the Warragul Saleyards yesterday were asked to donate a calf to the appeal, with proceeds from the auction going to the hospital.

The event is supported by the Baw Baw Livestock Exchange and local stock agents waived yard fees for all the calves donated.

Pam Dyson, Public Relations Coordinator at West Gippsland Healthcare Group, said the fundraiser is necessary because the emergency department is "bursting at the seams."

"We actually need more cubicles," she said. "Many patients when they come in are cared for in the corridor when they receive their treatment, which is obviously not ideal and not appropriate, so we actually need more cubicles and with that comes the need for more monitoring equipment."